Sports connects citizens across cultures, cultivates camaraderie: Deputy Chief Minister Declares open 17th Junior Roll Ball National Championship-2026 at Jammu

Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Dec 29
The Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, today formally declared open the three day 17th Junior Roll Ball National Championship–2026 at M.A. Stadium, Jammu, marking another significant step towards promoting sports culture in Jammu and Kashmir.The Deputy Chief Minister was accompanied by the Minister for Youth Services and Sports, Satish Sharma, Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, senior officers of the Sports Council and other dignitaries. The dignitaries interacted with young participants representing various States and Union Territories of the country and extended their best wishes for the championship. The Deputy Chief Minister also felicitated the international gold medal winners from Jammu and Kashmir, acknowledging their outstanding achievements and contribution towards bringing laurels to the Union Territory.Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister said that sports serve as a powerful medium to connect the citizens across regions and cultures besides cultivating camaraderie. He reiterated that the government of Jammu and Kashmir is giving special emphasis on promotion of sports across every nook and corner of the UT, with a focus on providing adequate platforms for youth to nurture, polish and showcase their talent. He emphasized that continuity in sports activities is crucial for sustaining interest and discipline among children. “Tournaments and practice sessions must continue regularly so that the young players remain engaged and the rhythm of sports is not broken. With sustained effort and hard work, our youth can achieve national and international recognition,” he said.The Deputy Chief Minister congratulated the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, for successfully organizing the national-level championship. He expressed hope that the teams from Jammu and Kashmir, along with participants from other States, would carry forward the spirit of sportsmanship and make both their regions and the country proud on national and global platforms. He urged the youth to stay away from drugs and adopt sports activities for living healthy life and channelize their energy towards nation building.